FOXBOROUGH -- An otherwise ordinary transaction might have big ramifications for this year’s outdoor game at Gillette Stadium.
On Thursday, Montreal demoted forward Sven Andrighetto to its AHL affiliate in St. John’s -- a sign that, potentially, Brendan Gallagher will make his return from a broken hand at Friday’s Winter Classic.
Gallagher has on IR since Nov. 22, and has missed Montreal’s last 17 games. The team has struggled in his absence, going 5-11-1 while falling out of top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Prior to getting hurt, Gallagher was starring on the club’s top line alongside Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec, scoring 19 points in 22 games. His 0.86 points-per-game average is a career best.
Gallagher is set to practice with the Habs this afternoon at Gillette.